Martellus Bennett happy with return to Patriots, says “it couldn’t be a better place for me”

Nancy Lane | Boston Herald

It’s been a whirlwind of a week for tight end Martellus Bennett.

After being waived by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday with a “failure to disclose a physical condition” reasoning, the New England Patriots claimed the 10-year veteran, and he was off to Gillette Stadium for round two.

Bennett made a strong case for himself in his first game back as a Patriot last night on Sunday Night Football. In New England’s 41-16 victory over the Denver Broncos, the tight end only saw seven snaps, but finished with three catches for 38 yards.

Speaking with reporters after the game on Sunday, Bennett touched on the drama with the Packers and how familiarity played a role in his return to the Patriots.

“I talked to six or seven doctors about [the shoulder injury], and it could go either way,” Bennett said. “And it was one of those things that I felt like I should get fixed. And then after trying to get it fixed and getting waived, you just got that vengeance in your heart. You’re like, ‘All right, that’s how you’re going to do it? Then… let’s go ball.”

“When Bill [Belichick] called and said they had claimed, I said, ‘No f---ing way.’ Then he was like, what’s going on? And I told him, and then we had a quick conversation, and I was like ‘Let me think about it, and I will call you back.’”

Bennett continued, “I think this group of guys and this team, it couldn’t be a better [situation] with what I am going through. It couldn’t be a better place for me.”

Quarterback Tom Brady also weighed in on having Bennett back.

“I love having Martellus on our team,” he said. “He adds a lot. He is a great player and was for us last year. Hopefully we can keep building on it.”

Bennett had a solid season with the Patriots last year, catching 55 passes for 701 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. And if Sunday night is any implication, he could have a strong impact on New England the rest of the season.

Follow Megan on Twitter: @carnahanmegan